The Supreme Court on Thursday said that it has never directed to end the hunger strike of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on a fast unto death, but is only concerned with his health.
There seems to be a deliberate attempt in the entire media where state government officers (of Punjab) are trying to create an impression that there is a persuasion by this court to Mr. Dallewal to break his fast. Our directions were not to break his fast.". We only said that let his health be taken care of and he can continue his peaceful protest even when he is hospitalised," a Bench headed by Justice Surya Kant told Punjab's Advocate General (AG) Gurminder Singh.
The Bench, comprising Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, further stated that by taking Dallewal to the hospital does not imply that he would stop his fast but the medical facilities that will ensure that no harm is caused to his life.
In this connection, AG Gurminder Singh submitted that state government officials attempted to convince Dallewal to take medical aid in terms of the apex court order.
However, Dallewal remained firm that he would take medical aid only if the Union government was ready for talks.
At this, the Justice Kant-led Bench remarked, "Please don't force us to say many things. Your attitude is that there should be no reconciliation. That is the whole problem".
Further, the apex court expressed anguish at the "irresponsible statements" being made by "so-called farmers leaders to complicate things".
It warned that unless the Punjab government continues to fail implementing its order in regard to Dallewal's hospitalisation, the apex court will seek an intervention of the Centre.
A 70-year-old cancer patient has been observing fast at the border point between Punjab and Haryana, Khanauri since November 26 in support of their long-pending demands which include legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, loan waiver and reforms that would improve conditions in the agricultural sector.
The next date for the matter is fixed for January 6.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court deferred till January 2 the hearing on a contempt plea seeking action against the Chief Secretary of Punjab over non-hospitalisation of Dallewal.
In that hearing, the Punjab government sought additional time to comply with its December 20 decision, where it was directed to ensure the stable health condition of Dallewal.
"It is altogether the responsibility of the State of Punjab to see that Mr Jagjit Singh Dallewal's health condition becomes absolutely stable for which if he needs hospitalisation, the authorities should ensure to do so. The State Government, therefore, will take a call as to whether Mr Dallewal can be shifted to the makeshift hospital (temporary hospital, which is said to have been set up at a distance of 700 metres from the site) or to any other well-equipped hospital," the SC had ordered.
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